LEGENDARY Andre Agassi ended his great tennis career in a flood of tears last night. After 21 years at the top the 36-year-old American put away his rackets following a 7-5 6-7 6-4 7-5 to Benjamin Becker of Germany in the third round of the US Open Championship. Agassi grimaced throughout the match due to chronic back pain.

He broke down and sobbed as he was given a five-minute standing ovation from the 24,000 crowd in the Arthur Ashe Stadium at the end.

"The scoreboard said I lost today but what it doesn't say is what it is I have found," he told the fans. "I've found loyalty on the court and in life.